Winter storms quickly depleting Truro's snow removal budget

TRURO – Mother Nature’s winter weather wrath on Truro has had a major impact on the town’s snow removal budget.

Winter storm picking up in Truro area

Andrew MacKinnon, director of the town’s public works department, confirmed at a town council meeting on Monday that “about 50 per cent” of the town’s snow removal budget has already been used. The budget was $550,000 and the majority of that has come from “a number of weekend storms and nights” that town crews were sent out to clear the streets and sidewalks.

“At best, it’s a quarter spent by now,” added MacKinnon, saying it “doesn’t look good” if the winter weather continues with weekly storms as was the case in December and early January.

In addition, a public works report indicates the department’s crew spent the “entire month of December on snow and ice control from Prince and Inglis” streets.

“This marks the first time in 20 years it was needed before New Year’s. Typically it would be once or twice in December,” MacKinnon told this paper.

MacKinnon said if the snow removal budget runs out before the end of the fiscal year, in March, council would decide where the necessary money would come from to finish the season.

“The streets and sidewalks will be safe,” he said.

Truro Mayor Bill Mills said he’s had phone calls from a number of residents about the condition of sidewalks.

“People are concerned,” said Mills, adding there are “challenges” when dealing with severe weather.

“Ninety-nine per cent of users understand that (but) scooters and wheelchairs have a hard time” navigating the weather-compromised sidewalks, Mills said.